Atlanta Hawks: Nuggets 100, Hawks 90
J.J.'s 15 points after halftime couldn't save Hawks.
Denver– I wasn’t thrilled with my seat for the game, which was over a tunnel in a corner opposite the Hawks’ bench. But it turned out to be the perfect vantage point to see the Hawks bumble with transition defense.
- The Nuggets couldn’t wait to get out and run once they collected Atlanta’s errant long jumpers. From my seat I could see why. The Hawks were a jumbled mess as they tried to get back, stop dribble penetration, find shooters and defend the rim. They were lucky if they managed to do one of the four.
- “We had bad floor balance, which is unlikely for us knowing we are playing a team that likes to get up and down the court,” J.J. said. “Knowing that if you didn’t shoot the ball, you have to get back. I messed up a few times on that and it costs us. Just boneheaded plays.”
- L.D.’s message before the game was to control the tempo with good shot selection.
- “Didn’t do it,” he said. “Didn’t even come close to it. We got into a jump-shooting contest early. We ended up 2 for 19 on threes, you are not going to win on the road taking that many threes especially with the other things we gave up. That’s way, way too many to give up on the road. The things we were concerned about coming into this game they completely took advantage of it.”
- To be fair, Hinrich and Smoove could have made a difference for the Hawks in the second half. Hinrich because he’s likely to help the Hawks work for better shots, Smith because when all else fails he can protect the rim.
- “When I went out after the first half, and then Kirk not being able to go I think it hurt us a lot,” Smoove said.
- “I think it helped a little bit by Josh not being in the second half,” George Karl said. “Still a solid win.”
- Josh said he sprained his right medial collateral ligament when J.R. Smith fell on his leg. He’s likely to get an MRI. It’s the same knee he banged earlier this season.
- “For the past two games it was feeling like I was getting back to 100 percent and then this happens,” he said. “It’s kind of frustrating but I can’t control injuries.”
- Al (21 points, 10 of 15 shots) was the most efficient scorer for the Hawks but got just two shots in the fourth quarter (and made both). Marvin was 0 for 4, Joe was 3 for 8, and Jamal was 1 for 3.
- The game got away from the Hawks when they went more than three minutes without a field goal while down 89-85.
- “This was a very winnable game,” Marvin said. “Obviously when Smoove went down the other guys had to step up. We had great looks at it we just couldn’t make shots tonight and couldn’t get stops when we needed it.”
- “We missed looks we normally make,” Joe said. “I don’t know it was dead legs or what.”
- “When they started double-teaming Joe we tried to space the floor,” Drew said. “This was one of those games where we could have used Kirk, could have used Josh Smith. Because one thing those guys can do is space the floor. We turned down some shots out of the double team which we can’t do. If they double team and you get an open look you’ve got to take the shot. We had some guys that were a little bit reluctant.”
- Teague did his part to slow Denver’s dribble penetration in the halfcourt (and got six needed rebounds) but was 1 for 6 on field goals. By my (unofficial) count four of those misses were long jumpers, which still isn’t his thing.
- Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith helped Denver’s bench enjoy a 44-17 scoring advantage. Only Jamal can match that firepower on Atlanta’s bench but the reserves didn’t help matter with poor shot selection during Denver’s rally in the second quarter.
- So the Hawks finished their trip 3-4 with Ws against Detroit, Golden State and Portland and Ls to the Knicks, Lakers, Suns and Nuggets.
- “You know, when you look at the thing as a whole, it’s OK,” Al said. “It could have been worse. This is a game I don’t like to lose but the fact that we came out and competed even though we were shorthanded I liked that fact. We were down one going into the fourth and we had a chance.”
- “It could have been better,” Josh said. “I think we could have won that Phoenix game. We played well in Golden State and Portland.”
- “Not all was bad but you look back at games we could have got,” Marvin said. “The LA game was going to be tough, I think everybody knew that. Phoenix, they got up on us and we fought our way back and could have snuck that one.”
- “Obviously we would have liked to have done better but I think it’s acceptable to finish off 3-4,” L.D. said. “It could have been a lot worse. Now we are still in a position where we can control our own destiny. We have a boatload of games at home and if we have to go home and handle our business.”
- “After the trade as you can see we had a lot of positive things happen,” Joe said. “Those two games were close. We have got to look forward to getting back everybody healthy. Hopefully Smoove’s injury is not serious.”
- It’s Bulls, Thunder, Knicks, and the Lakers at Philips over the next eight days.
- “The good thing about the good teams is there is going to be a crowd there, no matter if they are favoring the visiting team or ours,” Josh said. “I think that gets us going more than anything and trying to play in kind of a playoff environment.”
- “I think we’ve shown that we’ve gotten it together the last few games,” Al said. “Even this game I think we played well aside from the transition aspect. We have to come out with energy and intensity and be ready to go because we have got some real good teams coming.”
- I’m headed home after 15 nights on the road. Ken S. is on deck for the next couple days. Thanks for reading, blog people.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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281 comments Add your comment
sam'l
March 1st, 2011
10:56 am
Yes, Josh is important to the team. However, we still get the impression that Josh could be about 300% more effective if he played to his true potential. Gonna need him this week for sure.
Teague. Please continue to play good defense even if you shoot 17%.
Now, the most interesting topic of all, “goofy Bibby.” We were wondering why Washington would commit 6 million dollars to a gimpy point guard. The whole thing had to have been planned from the beginning. Atlanta gets rid of Bibby’s salary and defense. Washington dips way below the salary cap. Miami gets a spot shooter who can bring the ball up the floor, allowing Wade, Bosh and the Kingly One to concentrate on scoring (or drawing one of their celebrity faux fouls). .
Again, I like Bibby. But I also like having him in Miami. See how “goofy” and lovable Bibby is when Kobe blows by him for the winning shot in game 7.
..
Sautee
March 1st, 2011
10:59 am
“We had bad floor balance, which is unlikely for us knowing we are playing a team that likes to get up and down the court,” J.J. said. “Knowing that if you didn’t shoot the ball, you have to get back. I messed up a few times on that and it costs us. Just boneheaded plays.”
For THIS we paid max money? How many years has Joe been in the league? And he’s STILL making “boneheaded plays”?
Josh gets all this crap about being boneheaded, but who says anything about JJ?
I wish badly that we had not re-signed this player. I fear that we are doomed to waste some of Horford’s best years as long as Joe is here.
Look, I’m glad that for ONCE he’s taking some personal responsibility for a loss, but if he’s a TRUE leader, he would have been trying to set up Horford in the 4th quarter instead of holding the ball for 12 seconds and then trying to split a double team (Joe, you’re not quick enough) and dribbling the ball off his foot.
Tell me I’m wrong, but how many times have you seen Joe feed Al in the post? It seems to ALWAYS be the other way around. And way too many times I’ve seen Al work for post position, have his man pinned, and Joe ignores him. Even when it’s a smaller defender on Al.
Joe has proven that he’s not a selfish player but I fail to understand how you could KNOW that your teammate is having a good shooting game, but never try to set him up when you need points the most. That’s NOT leadership.
And for what we paid Joe, we need him to lead.
sam'l
March 1st, 2011
11:00 am
Wouldn’t it be nice if FINALLY the hawks pulled it together and ran off about 7 victories in a row? (Sigh) still a fan…….
C’mon Hawks…..listen to your coach……be a team…..GO OUT THERE AND DO EVERYTHING RIGHT AND WIN A FEW!
JeJe
March 1st, 2011
11:01 am
How many more times is this team going to lose and we have to hear LD talk about how we settled for jumpshots?
It’s almost as bad as hearing about how we didn’t come out with energy
KevinM
March 1st, 2011
11:02 am
I say Miami doesn’t get better with Bibby on the floor. Defense is part of the game also.
OB, Marvin already played 38 last night and was 0-4 in the 4th. Not that we have a better option, but Denver continued to produce each trip down the court. We had no answer for the Felton/JRSmith combo last night. Until we play better in the 4th, this will be the result.
The entire difference in the game and we had it there for the taking. Denver continued to keep us in it.
Sautee
March 1st, 2011
11:04 am
Rod,
“he can’t finish, and he falls way too much for a 6′9 player.”
LOL, he falls way too much for a player of ANY height. Not 60% of the time, but WAY too much.
J from the A
March 1st, 2011
11:27 am
Looking at the list of summer ‘11 free agents, it looks like there are a number of solid MLE, bi-annual exception, vet minimum-type players that will be available … in other words, the Hawks might be able to make a few significant bench upgrades while remaining under the luxury tax/being cheap.
Assuming non-regression from Kirk and JJ, along with at least some improvement from Al, Josh, and Teague, next year may be the year for the Hawks … just need to count on the ownership to make a few savvy moves … wait! that means we are doomed right?
[None of this is meant to look past this year. If the Hawks can get things together -- which looks somewhat promising -- and remain injury free, the Hawks could make some real noise this year in the playoffs.]
Shake Something
March 1st, 2011
12:02 pm
Anybody heard if Sund is chasing any of the “Buy-Out” guys?!?!?!
The Truth
March 1st, 2011
12:12 pm
Regardless of our injuries, I also agree, this loss is on LD because it was still a winnable game nonetheless.
Our new worse defender is Jamal so never match him against their best offender in Felton? Denver exploited this matchup and LD was slow to respond.
Since Josh was out in the 2nd half, it relieved Denver defenders from playing help defense in the paint so they started doubling our shooters out on the perimeter. With Joe and Jamal constantly having to make tough shots made scoring difficult late in the game. Al is not a low post scorer rather a mid-range shooter, we needed to replace Josh with a low post threat to balance out the offense. The only bench player we had available capable of drawing attention in the paint was Zaza. But after Zaza drew his technical, LD benched him as if to reprimand him. Zaza is certainly not my favorite offense player but he brought a size advantage in that game with Josh injured at the PF position. Using Zaza as a PF would have created easier scoring for ours. Instead, we became a jump shooting team by default because of LD lineup in the 4th. LD was criticizing to the media that we settled for too many jumpers as if he had nothing to do with it.
What happen to the motion offense in the 4th? If the players shot are not falling, you go to plan B. We never did. It was ISO Joe, ISO Jamal, ISO Marvin, ISO Al, ISO Teague Damien, ISO Teague (LOL). We did run some pick and roll with Al but that was about it. Otherwise, we had a stagnated offense with no balance. Teague can only help on offense in transition in up-tempo but LD decided to play the slow tempo half court game. Teague will defer in that situation and will not be much of an offense contributor.
It is late in the season and the rotation still sucks. Never put Powell and Zaza in the game at the same time. Hello, is anybody home? This is a bad combination. LD bought a new car in Hilton and apparently not going to (at least) test drive it, what a waste. We could have used some shot-blocking help. LD new nickname is Larry “slow to respond” Drew.
O'Brien
March 1st, 2011
12:12 pm
Rod, KevinM,
If the Hawks are up 20 with 5 minutes left (which they were against Portland), why do we need more (streaky) offense from Jamal? Dont we need defense?
If Jamal is cold, he will shoot you out of a game by 1) taking bad shots, and 2) giving up easy shots on the other end.
A game like last night where we needed offense in the 4th, and Hinrich was out, I can understand sticking with Jamal because Marvin can’t score, and wasn’t doing much.
But against Portland Marvin should have been in the game for defensive purposes. Instead, LD stayed with Jamal, and Portland made a big run to cut the lead to single digits in 2 minutes.
If the Hawks need defense down the stretch, Marvin should be in the game over Jamal if Marvin is having a decent game. If we need offense, then Jamal should play in the game.
But no matter the score, no matter what kind of game Jamal or Marvin is having, LD will stick with Jamal down the stretch. LD just needs to be more selective (imo).
O'Brien
March 1st, 2011
12:23 pm
News from around the league;
From ESPN.com;
Highly coveted free agent Troy Murphy is signing with the Boston Celtics..
That comesas no surprise, because Murphy wants to win a ring.
The Oklahoma City Thunder signed center Kendrick Perkins to a multiyear contract extension Tuesday, the team announced.
Terms of Perkins’ contract with the Thunder weren’t disclosed. The Celtics had reportedly offered him a four-year, $22 million contract. Perkins was reportedly seeking a deal worth $30 million over that same span..
That is a big surprise to me. I thought OKC would want to wait until he has played a few games for them to see how healthy he is, to see how he fits, and to see what the new CBA says.
Rod from College Park
March 1st, 2011
12:28 pm
O’Brien,
In the Protland game Jamal scored 10 of our 22 points in the 4th quarter. He also hit the 3 pointer that really put the game out of reach. We won by 13 points. In looking at Portland’s scoring the guys that killed us in the 4th quarter were Wesley Matthews, Andre Miller, and Lamarcus Aldridge. Marvin can not, and would not check any of those players, so your Marvin should end the game belief does not make any sense. Do you have enough confidence in Marvin, to score 10 points in one quarter? I damn sure don’t. His defense is not good enough to overcome him being a total offensive liability. Scoring is our problem in the 4th quarter, not defense.
Wabe
March 1st, 2011
12:30 pm
If Teague could develop a mid-range jumper + work on his game around the rim, he’ll be fine.
I don’t think he court vision is all that bad. I think he sets guys up pretty nice.
Marvin Williams is the weak link on this team. We talked about Josh’s identity, but I think Marvin’s even more loss, even though his identity is clearly defined for him. Actually, it’s not even an identity problem, it’s just a Marvin problem. He’s horrible. All he has to do is play good defense, hit the open jumpers, and hit the glass. Nobody needs this guy to create his own shot. He can find more than enough looks through the flow of the offense, moreso than any other Hawk on the roster, but he still struggles the most.
Moving forward, I hope Drew continues to play Teague. Let him play through his mistakes, and prepare him to play meaningful minutes in the playoffs. His defensive prescence alone should be an asset when we move into playoff basketball and we play some of the best PG’s in the East (Rose, Rondo, Nelson). That right there is why I think Miami will be highly disappointed with their Mike Bibby expenditure.
drmaryb (*_*)
March 1st, 2011
12:31 pm
All You Can Eat!
” LD just needs to be more selective (imo).”
_____________________
“Ain’t no more green beans! Just mashed potatoes and corn.
Sorry O’Brien, but Coach is eating from a chinese buffet … All there is, is “flied lice” and no beef. Oh wait! All the meat looks like slivers of pork.
_______________________
All You Can Eat for $9.99!
“Come Hungry – Leave Hungry”
Enjoy!
__________________
In Ken Strickland’s voice, “Where IS the selection?”
Wabe
March 1st, 2011
12:34 pm
O’Brien
March 1st, 2011
12:12 pm
“If the Hawks are up 20 with 5 minutes left (which they were against Portland), why do we need more (streaky) offense from Jamal? Dont we need defense?”
And co-sign O’Brien. That’s exactly what I was thinking while that game was going on. We’re up by 20, we don’t need any more points. We had enough. We needed defense, but LD didn’t make any adjustments. I thought it would’ve made more sense to close that game out with Teague, Hinrich, and JJ than having Hinrich, Jamal, and JJ out there.
I really question LD’s rotations at times. Sometimes I just wonder why he chooses to go with the looks he does.
Wabe
March 1st, 2011
12:37 pm
Rod from College Park
March 1st, 2011
12:28 pm
“In the Protland game Jamal scored 10 of our 22 points in the 4th quarter. He also hit the 3 pointer that really put the game out of reach.”
Rod, the game was already out of reach when the 5 minute stretch came. We didn’t need anymore points. We just needed to play good solid defense.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 1st, 2011
12:38 pm
“Great observation re: Teague’s finishing plays at the rim.
That’s why these kids need to let their arms and legs get strong.”
Teague is plenty strong. His inability to finish strikes me more as mental than anything. He is finally playing with reckless abandon on defense instead of playing not to make a mistake, but that hasn’t translated to his offense yet. He’s still too scared to shoot for fear of missing (and a couple of early misses only compounds this issue) and he’s too worried about getting his shot blocked when he goes inside. Considering that he actually does a good job of drawing fouls when he wants to, he should just go in with that mindset all the time and not worry so much about finishing or getting blocked.
cp
March 1st, 2011
12:42 pm
Defensively Teague is fine but he has to work on that jumper this summer. Dennis Scott was talking about how he has to make his release higher. Hopefully he puts in the work and improves it.
The game was winnable but as many have already pointed out, LD has some very baffling rotations. Zaza and Powell do not work just like Bibby and Jamal did not work. It takes LD too long at times to see when things are going bad and to make adjustments.
I dont know who the Hawks can convince to take Marvin ” Big Sorry” Williams” this summer but I truly hope they find a team that thinks they can tap into his potential. He only has to play solid d, rebound, and knock down open shots but he cant seem to do that on a consistent basis. Marvin hasn’t been able to knock down open shots with regularity since his contact year I have no idea what happened after he got the deal but it hasn’t been good. I don’t know if there is a statistic for players who get the most open looks but I’m guessing Marvin would be in the top 5. Gets clean shots and cant do anything with them. Also one of the worst finishers I have seen for a guy his size.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 1st, 2011
12:45 pm
“The second half of that sentence…only in Atlanta…”
And Miami. Half that crowd for Knicks-Heat was pulling for the visitor. Everyone likes to diss Hawks fans, but 40+ years of ineptitude and a front office that is happy maintaining a status quo of losing in the second round gives fans in ATL a valid excuse not to care about the Hawks. There is no excuse for Heat fans not to fill up their building, when they have managed to get two of the league’s best and most exciting players on their roster playing together.
drmaryb (*_*)
March 1st, 2011
12:47 pm
This ASKG is trying to build a Ferrari with Ford parts.
The body and paint job looks great, but, no horses under the hood.
Bibby played so old, he was at the rear trying to crank the teams motor.
They can roll for like 3 qrtrs, then in the 4th qrtr they run out of gas.
_____________________
Who is this vehicle registered to? This vehicle is not cleared to operate in the NBA. We are too damned cheap to pick up a need off the waiver wire. How sad is that? Who approved the sale of this team to these broke azz owners. These guys are not wealthy!
“They have no Texas Tea – bubbling oil – that is.”
- a song line from The Beverly Hillbillies-
How fitting is that. How can you make a purchase of a professional sports team w/o a dime to your name – whatsoever? How?
Good News is the New Group is dripping in wealth and are also requesting to purchase the empty parking lot across the street to develop it and enhance the teams venue. That my friends is some long money.
This New Group stated, “We feel we can turn these teams around and win the fans.”. -paraphrased-
Let’s Go! These type transaction could take anywhere from 4 to 6 months, if the finances are there.
Aye JeJe and WorldWide Clyde? Can we FIRE STERN too? He approved this sale, did he Vet these clowns? Did Stern do his due diligence? Didn’t he know these azz holes were broke from Day-One?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 1st, 2011
12:51 pm
“I say Miami doesn’t get better with Bibby on the floor. Defense is part of the game also.”
You must not have taken notice of just how abysmal Arroyo and Chalmers are. Bibby will be an improvement for them, as pathetic as that sounds. He’s a perfect fit for their offense.
Rod from College Park
March 1st, 2011
1:03 pm
Wabe,
“Rod, the game was already out of reach when the 5 minute stretch came. We didn’t need anymore points. We just needed to play good solid defense.”
If you really watch the Hawks, the game is never out of reach. With jump shooting teams, games are never out of reach. That is the reason LD coaches the way he does. He has no confidence that his team has the ability to maintain a lead no matter what the score. He has no confidence that his bench can come in an finish a game and maintain a lead, for good reason. He surely does not have the confidence in Marvin Williams offensively or defensively to substitute him in for one of the best players on the team. We got outscored by 12 in the 4th even with Jamal in the game, and he scored 10 points in the 4th. Subtract the 10 points and you get 22 points. That would mean that we would have lost because Marvin might, on a lucky day, have given you 2 points in the quarter.
mykhalc
March 1st, 2011
1:07 pm
Marvin is a bum…PERIOD!!!! and same ole excuses from just a dumb team…PERIOD!!!
JustAThought
March 1st, 2011
1:08 pm
Najeh, the snowbirds (all the retirees that invade south fla from october to april) from NYC, it was all there kids, who I’m pretty sure paid a very hefty price for those tickets. It’s the same when the jets/gaints play the dolphins down there.
W.R.Terrell
March 1st, 2011
1:16 pm
Josh Smith may be out for a few, I don’t know if that’s a problem are a blessing. Hilton Armstrong should be his replacement at least for a defensive presence and you don’t have to worry about him boggin up the offense. Points will come, put ISO Joe the POUNDER at small forward and Al at center. Just bench Marvin he’s useless and more useless and go with Josh Powell and Twin and find some CBA call up who can score for the moment, until that “smoove” person comes back. I just want this year over and next year you have Al, Jamal, Jeff Teague, Hilton and Heinrich…..Send the rest of those “SOFT’S” away. How could I have ever figured Marvin could play, jhe just can’t, not with men.
northcyde
March 1st, 2011
1:50 pm
I still don’t know what some of you expect Drew to do with the player combinations.
- if he just plays 8 guys, he’s wrong for doing that
- if he plays Zaza and Powell together, he’s wrong for doing that
- if he doesn’t play Teague extra minutes, he’s wrong for doing that
- if he plays Teague, despite him being ineffective and scared on the offensive end, he’s wrong for doing that
- if he doesn’t play Hilton Armstrong, a guy who has been a scrub his entire NBA career, he’s wrong for doing that
- if he goes with Jamal in the 4th, he’s wrong for doing that
- if he goes with Marvin in the 4th, he’s wrong for doing that
- if he plays JJ and Al too many minutes, despite other people not stepping up, he’s wrong for doing that
I’m not saying that Drew couldn’t do a better job with the lineup, but isn’t the issue more about these inconsistent azz players simply playing better, than who Drew puts into the game at a particular time?
Every other team in the league can pur together some sort of bench that can function with each other. And if they can’t, they live and die with their main guys playing heavy minutes.
northcyde
March 1st, 2011
2:05 pm
It’s hilarious how LebronCenter is hyping up Mike Bibby as possibly being a “key acquisition”. Not saying that he very well may be, but it’s amazing how a player can be viewed as a washed up scrub on one team, can be key championship piece for another.
Sautee
March 1st, 2011
2:07 pm
northcyde,
LOL, at least the blog was somewhat consistent when they dissed Woody. LD gets it from all sides no matter what. Good Point.
Imagine Woody’s first year if he had no more leash than these bloggers give LD. I think the bloggers forget that there is a learning curve in ANY new job.
Some of these folks expect a gourmet meal made with scraps from the dumpster.
Go figure.
KevinM
March 1st, 2011
2:12 pm
Najeh, now that is hilarious….when Bibster never got a sniff as a Hawk…and are the NBA experts praising the move also?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 1st, 2011
2:15 pm
Woody started his coaching career under much less pressure and in six years managed to reach about the same level as LD as a head coach. LD is naturally going to be more scrutinized because the Hawks are a playoff team, and I haven’t held back in calling him out when he’s done dumb sh-t, but he is going to make rookie mistakes like any other head coach. I do think this team has a better shot in the playoffs this year with LD than they did with Woody.
Sautee
March 1st, 2011
2:21 pm
Najeh,
Agreed. LD was always going to have higher expectations.
But northcyde’s point is well taken. There’s absolutely no consistency in the criticisms when NOTHING you do isn’t wrong for SOMEONE.
Perfect example of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”.
drmaryb (*_*)
March 1st, 2011
2:30 pm
O’Brien
Do you think Perkins is worth Horford and Noah type money?
Looks like he would have stayed in Boston for 4Y/30M … 8M was not that far apart from 22M.
As hard as Bigs are to come by? IDK if this comes back to bite Ainge on the booty. Oh Well, not our problem. Even the Magic have regretted trading Gortat for the smaller perimeter players they got back.
Too bad we couldn’t sign Perkins, we get nothing.
drmaryb (*_*)
March 1st, 2011
2:44 pm
Najeh
Thanks for the Teague comments re: body strength and muscle mass.
His shot is a line drive, no arch and he barely lifts off the floor, which per James Jones, “I save a few seconds by not jumping too high.”
In contrast, Ray Allen has a really high jump/lift and he taps his two big toes together, at the point of release. His jumper takes longer to get off than James Jones, but each player has studied their form and technique.
Bibby, like Teague also shoots a line drive, but perhaps is taller, with a higher release point and a ton of game experience. Jeff is intriguing and I hope he develops for The Hawks. Finishing takes heart amongst the trees. Tegue has heart, how much? IDK.
The Truth
March 1st, 2011
2:53 pm
Northcyde: “I still don’t know what some of you expect Drew to do with the player combinations.”
I expect LD to make lineup changes according to the game and player’s performance in real time. Not a cookie cutter approach where he always present a predictable substitution patterns. These players are not robots where they play the same way each night. Some nights, different players will be more effective than others. We have to adjust to those situations and not stick with the same routine. When you say things like:
“I’m not saying that Drew couldn’t do a better job with the lineup”
If you list your reasons to support this statement, you will sound no different then us
Don’t be so defensive of LD. He’s a grown man. He can handle constructive criticism which is what this is all about. Regarding Hilton Armstrong, I know you’re not suggesting we should declare him useless before we see what he has to offer. Our bench is so inconsistent; we need all the help we can get.
lewis
March 1st, 2011
2:58 pm
If you’ve ever watched Armstrong play, than you know he does not deserve any PT at all. If you need LD to play him simply to reaffirm this notion, you will be waiting a long time. Think ZaZa but much worse.
rusty
March 1st, 2011
2:58 pm
Ld needs to blend the bench in with the starters. He certainly don’t need to play lp & zap together. He always needs to not have js & ah out of the lineup at the same time. He needs to let some of the bench whom he never plays get some min minutes.can’t Etan not play at all,who knows. He always talks about all the jumpshots, don’t he have any control of the team. He constantly let’s jj play iso ball in the 4th quarter leading to pure chaos. He needs to have more faith in jt, it seems that he is the only guard capable of stopping any one.he just seems to have any real feel for substitutions or game flow I could never understand all of his stupid faith in mb & mo totally ignoring
Jt & jc2 . I didn’t like woody but dislike lt even more. He seemed to talk a good game but never lives up to it with his actions.
lewis
March 1st, 2011
3:05 pm
and ROFL @ BIBBY GIVING UP 6.2 MILL
drmaryb (*_*)
March 1st, 2011
3:06 pm
911! Is a Joke in my town.
Marvin is like the Po-Po – Never around when you need them.
Even Pizza Hut will not DELIVER in bad neighbor hoods, you can’t even call your order in ahead. When you get there? The doors are locked and bullet proof. The drive thru window doubles as a walk-up window.
Sorry, no restrooms to the public. We don’t care if you piss on yourself or the side walk. It really doesn’t matter. No checks please and no sweaty, dirty money pulled outa’ your azz will be acceptable.
Would you buy Pizza from Pizza Hut, if you lived in Decatur, GA on I-20W and Memorial Drive? Hell no, then why should you go down to Phillip’s Arena for that type of customer service?
Not acquiring proper talent for this team is not just wronge?
It’s disrespectful!
________________________
Aye ASKG! You Sir, got needs! The cupboards are bare! You don’t have the ingredients to cook a 5 course meal. Your guests are hungry and the chicken taste like wood while the mac & cheese is runny.
Please hurry up and sell your team to a more qualified buyer.
_______________________
If I were Sund? I would pay Marvin to stay away from the team or, put on a call to Tonya Harding and her Ex to rearrange his knees.
What could Brandon Roy do with a pair of barely used knees is priceless.
__________________
OK, I’m done. I feel so much better. PMS is a b!atch.
LOL – ROF
The Truth
March 1st, 2011
3:22 pm
“Would you buy Pizza from Pizza Hut, if you lived in Decatur, GA on I-20W and Memorial Drive? Hell no, then why should you go down to Phillip’s Arena for that type of customer service?”
MB, That’s cold (LoL)
Geemack
March 1st, 2011
3:37 pm
lewis
You may be ROTFL, but Bibby is going to start for a title contender.
This blog has crapped on Bibby for 2 years, but the Heat are happy he is coming.
terrell
March 1st, 2011
3:39 pm
We shoulda git rid of Jamal. His defense is just as bad as Bibby’s. I’d rather have an avg 2 guard or sf who can play a little defense. I like Jamal as a scorer off the bench, but
1. LD refuses to play him at his best position.
2. He, for some unknown reason, leaves him in when his shot is off. And
3. Jamal should NEVER be on the floor in the 4th, when we’re LEADING. Makes no sense.
SteveW
March 1st, 2011
3:47 pm
Enter your comments here
SteveW
March 1st, 2011
3:55 pm
I think some of the criticisms of LD’s player combos just come from fans seeing what is working on the court, sometimes night after after night. Like it became obvious that on a consistent basis, wilkens was outplaying Mo, but LD just stuck with Mo. Or Teague would look good, and then no Jeff Teague. Or Marvin’s ineptness most nights. Or his player combo’s, refusal to play Etan, JC2 etc. And some criticisms have been unwarranted. And I do think maybe LD is making some rookie mistakes, and is also coaching for his job, esp. before the trade. I like LD and want him to be the greatest Coach ever, but we have to call them as we wee them.
SteveW
March 1st, 2011
3:56 pm
Wee should be see in previous post
tyger
March 1st, 2011
3:58 pm
Kapono or Brewer?
Hawks really need someone that can shoot – not score but shoot;
Hawks really need another athletic wing that can score and defend;
will ATL Spirit fill last spot and forgo luxury tax rebate?
The Truth
March 1st, 2011
4:02 pm
Our only hope for Marvin (because of contract) is for Sund (or his successor) to appeal to Marvin’s daddy to make him seek professional basketball help in the offseason. If Yoda is off the table, then maybe Josh’s trainer will suffice. I know Marvin is a miser and doesn’t like spending money, but if his basketball career is on the line (which it is) then maybe he will reconsider.
SteveW
March 1st, 2011
4:02 pm
Teague played well on Ty and Felton last night. Teague is solid on D, but he is going to have to learn to control an offense. Glad Hinrich is here for the next 2 seasons. As a matter of fact, my concern has moved from PG to Marvin and JJ. Unless he becomes solid, I hope we trade Marv in the off season. Cut our losses and move on. And JJ no longer has it. January got my hopes up, but in the past he would have taken over a game lime last night. Bbut he was double teamed. It just seems like something is missing out of his game. Not sure what.
terrell
March 1st, 2011
4:07 pm
Trade Marvin for a 6 inch sub.
mykhalc
March 1st, 2011
4:09 pm
our ONLY f’n hope for Marvin is that he RETIRES…PERIOD!!!! take up bass fishin’…or somethin’!!!
SteveW
March 1st, 2011
4:09 pm
BTW, Teague is about what I expected. A 19th pick that fits the athleticism of our team. If your expecting D Rose, get real. But I think your looking at good player in this League for years to come, and probably a top 10-20 PG at some point. He and Hinrich, if Kirk holds together next year have our PG position in pretty solid shape. If LA can win championships with DFish, I don’t think Pg is our problem anymore